Malleable annealing basket



Nov. 11, 1947. G. c. MOCORMICK MALLEABLE ANNEALING BASKET Filed Sept.15, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l GEORGE a. Macaw/ck IN V EN TOR.

Nov.'11, 1947. I G. c. MCCORMICK MALLEABLE ANNEALING BASKET 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1945 GEORGE a MGCOQM/GK' INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 11, 1947 UNI TED 1 STAT ES:- PATENT F F'IC E' MALLEABLEANNEALIN G BASKET GeorgeClifton McCm'mick Newton, Mass. 4

Applicationse'ptember 15, 1945," Serial No. 616524 17 Claims; (Cl.263.-47)

This invention relates to improvements in heat treating apparatus, and,more particularly to a 1 heat-treating malleablizing tray havingafixedbasewith'replaceable and floating corner post-sections which mountend and side wall members:-

I-Iitherto trays which have been used for heat treating andmalleablizing have had a very short life. This is due not only to therigorous thermal conditionsto which they are subjected but also to thesubstantial mechanical stresses imposed on those skilled in. the-artknow during themalleablizing .treatment.gmphitization of the white 21treating container-comprised of a base and a superstructure comprised ofstandardizedginterchangeable and readily replaceable partstheassociation being such that the superstructure'has we. widepermissive floating movement with=respect to the base to adequatelyaccommodate expansionof the work. The novel structure is so devisedthatthe major stresses set up in the tray are taken up in readilyreplaceable and relatively l0 inexpensive units thus'prolongingtheserviceable the trays during the malleablizing process; As";

iron occurs with consequent'increase in volume of the work beingprocessed. This expansion of the work. imposes strains. on theside wallsoflthe basket or tray. The distortionof the walls occasioned by suchimposedstresses is accentuatedby the relatively high temperature.conditions of the.

unfit for service.

In thepast attempts. have been made .to avoid..-

or minimize these undesirable-resultssuch for.. example; astemporarily.diminishing the volumetric capacity of the trayandpermittingsubsequent increase inthe capacityof the tray as by the useof combustible wedges-and the like; Such expedients have notbeen foundtobe effective.-

It has now been found that heat'treating and malleablizing traysmaybemade fromwheat re-' sisting alloys and the like, if thetpartswhichare normally subject to the greatestabuseare mounted so as tobefree floating on -a fixed ;base;

life of the larger and more expensive elements of the tray.

In orderto'moreclearly define the invention a preferred illustration isshown in: .the accompanying drawings in which:

shown in Fig. 4. 1.

Fig. 6 is an. enlargedsectional detail. taken on lines 6-16 ofFigL 2.

Fig.4! is a cross-sectionaldetail taken on lines 1-"! of Fig. 1.

. Fig- 8 is a cross-sectional detail of the cornerpost constructionshown in Fig.7.

Fig.9 is anenlarged elevation of the stub post of the tray shown in Fig.'7.

Fig. .10. is a horizontal. sectional view-taken through the upper partof-the vertical post shown It is an" object of this invention.to-p-rovidera heat treating and malleablizing'trayhaving strucituralparts severally removable and interchangeable between difierentrunitsiIt is a further object of this. invention to'provide heat treating andmalleablizing trays haNingwa relatively fixed or stable base with asuperposed liner and. replaceable stanchion sections and side wall andend walltmernbers."

Other objects of novelty;andadvantageof the in Fig.8.

Fi .11 is an:enlarged detail-of the corneripost unit of .themodification :shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and

40 Fig. 12 is a top plan of thecornerpost units of Figa-ll.

The-novel tray of thepresent invention comprises'a basemembenAycornerposts B,: a tray. liner-sheet C, endwallsFD and-side wallsE. 'The several parts-areinterfitted' and interconnectedpresentinvention includeknock down heat treatothers With theseandotherequally important 'and:re.=.

bybolts and suitablefastenings to permit replacement of the parts a whendesired.

Considering the structural features more in detail, the fixed base Acomprises a main top or 5 .floor section I having edge flanges 2terminating parts which require replacement'more often than latedobjects-in" view the inventioncomprehends the concept of providing':atray iorisimilars-heat in inturned bottom flange sections 3. A pluralityof integral, spaced tubular sections l extend alongathe length of thememberand beneath the fioorzsection. Curvilin'ear skids 5 are providedunderneaththe tray and are cast integral with the same. Lugs 6 areformed at the sides of the base and are stiffened with integral webs 'Icast integral with the lugs and the sides 8 of the base. The lugs 6,with the supporting stiffening web 1, form generally T-shapedprojections extending outwardly from the sides of the units and serve asengagement lugs for control of dumping or other handling after itspassage through the heat treating or malleablizing furnace. A pluralityof transverse tubular sections 9 meet the longitudinal tubular sections4 in the central tray area to form a plurality of bridge sections II]which define apertures I l of generally rectangular shape in the centerof the tray. Along the side edges of the tray there are formed aplurality of longitudinal slots l2. The front end l3 of the tray and therear end l4 are provided at the upper edge portions with a plurality ofspaced upstanding lugs l5, severally defining grooves l6 therebetween,to receive end walls, as will be described more in detail hereinafter.At the four corners of the upper surface of the tray there are providedintegral stub post sections I'I shown in detail in Figs. and 6. Thesesections comprise outer corner walls l8 and I9 extending verticallyupward and inside walls 20 and 2| which are joined to web 22 of the trayby curvilinear sections 23. The walls sections l3 and 20 of the stubpost are provided with aligned apertures 24 adapted to receive cornerpins 25 held in place in any suitable manner, as by nuts 26.

As noted in Figs. 1 and 2, a liner sheet 30 overlays the tray section ofthe base. This sheet has cutout corners 3| adapted to clear the stubposts I1, and is provided with apertures or slots 32 and 33 generallyconforming to sections H and i2 of the base member and extendinginwardly of the apertures formed by the base sections. Additionally, theliner may or may not be provided with a plurality of circular apertures34 in the center of the liner sections superposed over the bridgingsections IU of the base.

It will be seen that the liner sheet overlays the top surface of thebase, and, due to its spaced apertures, insures even heating of thecontents of the tray while, at the same time, providing a completeprotective apron or surfacing for the base proper. By so protecting thebase section, the metal of the latter is not subjected to blows from thecontents of the tray during loading and discharging of the tray.

The stub posts described immediately above serve as supports and pointsof attachment for the removable corner pots 40. These posts, as shown indetail in Figs. 6 and 7, comprise castings having a smooth vertical backwall 4| of generally rectangular configuration, an outer side wall 42,an inner side wall 43, and a lateralside wall 44. Side Walls 42 and 43have vertical rounded edges 45 common with vertical wall 4| at the sidesthereof. Additionally, the two walls have a slanting upper section 46terminating in a vertical bottom section 41 which is slightly higherthan the heighth of the stub posts 11. An inner stiffening web 48 isformed between Walls 4! and 43 immediately above the vertical section 41of wall 43. Walls 42 and 44 are provided near the bottom with thealigned holes 49 adapted to register with holes 24 in stub section I!and receive corner pins 25. Wall 44 is provided with spaced lugs 59adjacent vertical edge 45 and these lugs are apertured, as indicated at5!. These lugs serve as supports for the side walls which are boltedthereto by pins 52 usually secured with cotter pins 53. A T-shapedknuckle 54 is formed integrally with section 41 of the corner posts andas an extension of side 42 thereof. This member has a vertical face orstop surface 55 and a stiflening or supporting web section 56. Thesemembers serve, in conjunction with members 15, to align and hold thebottom edges of the end walls in position when the tray is fully set up.

It will be noted that the posts B are not rigidly connected to the stubposts so that considerable play is permitted to and between the parts.

The side wall plates 68 are generally rectangular having top and bottomedges 6! and 62, side edges 63 and 54. Apertures 65 are adapted toregister with apertures 5| in upper lugs 50 of the corner posts and theplates are secured to the lugs by end pins 52, previously described. Theplates 89 are transversely corrugated, as indicated at 66, and arecambered inwardly of the tray, as indicated at El. It will be noted thatthe side edges and the bottom edge of the end walls are spaced from theposts and the upper surface of the liner of the tray. In addition, thereis considerable play at the lugs 59 so that plates 60 are freely movablein all directions when set up in the tray.

The side plates may be provided, adjacent their side edges, with aplurality of holes to permit uniform heating of the contents of the traywithout interfering with its operative functions.

The end wall plates D are comprised of specially conformed plates 68,including the bottom edge 69, a vertical side edge portion l0 conforminggenerally to the vertical section 41 of the corner post and an angularedge H conforming to the tapered side 46 of the corner post. The upperedges of plate 68 are formed with the cutout D tions 12 and theupstanding tubular portions 13. As will be observed, the tubularportions are adapted to receive the tie rods 14. These end wall platesare suspended from the tie rods 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In use,the side plates are hung loosely from the tie rods 14 and are held inaligned relation at the bottom by the lugs l5 and lugs 54. Here again,due to the relatively loose connection between the supporting posts andthe walls there is permitted a maximum of play between the several partsof the assembled tray. As will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 1and 2 the tie rod passes through transverse apertures 15 in the uppersections of walls 4! and 43. The tie rods may be passed through theseapertures and thence through the tubular sections of the side plate 68to suspend the side plates in position. The tie rod is secured inposition by means of the bolt 15.

It will be seen that the side walls and end walls may be of standardizedconstruction and may be simply and individually replaced. With this typeof assemblage, as will be observed, the diagonally positioned cornerposts are of identical construction, hence two standard corner postunits can be provided to insure simple replacement in an operating tray.

As has been previously explained, the invention comprehends theprovision of an annealing tray comprising a base and a superstructure soassociated as to insure a substantial flexibility of movement of thecomponents of the superstructure with respect to the base to therebyprevent distortion of the elements of the superstructure upon thermalexpansion of the work or contents of the tray. With this concept in vieit ill b appreciated that a number of specifically different mechanicalstructures may be devised to insure the described desirable result. Ashas been which the corner posts B described, the structure shown inFigs. 1 to F7 involves the mounting of the side andendwal-lsof the tray.on the base through the medium of corner posts or stanchions whichlatter are so connected to the base as to permit aconsiderable degree ofrelative movement therebetweenwhileinsuring the desirable overallstructural rigidity of the tray. As will be appreciated, other types ofmounting of the corner post on the basestruoture may be utilized toinsure such fiexible'connection.

An eminently simple and effective type of such mountin may comprise theutilization of curvilinear bearing surfaces on the 'ba-serstructure andsimilar curvilinear suriaces on the portions of the corner posts which.abut the base structure. In other words, the connection between the baseand the supporting corner posts may comprise any simple type of "ballandsocket joint or equivalent swivel or universal joint mountings.

A simplified structure embodying such .a swivel type connection is showninFigs. 8 to 133inc1usive. This modification, like that previouslydescribed, comprises as the major units a base .A', comprising anintegral casting of suitable heat resistant steel which forms the baseand floor section of the tray, corner posts B, .a liner sheet C, sideWalls D and end walls E. The base section, as previously described, iscast with the spaced integral tubular sections 1'53 extendinglongitudinally of the base and similar tubular sections (not shown)extending transversely of the base, The base is also provided with theintegral cast skids 8!) adapted to support the tray on the .floor orrails of the furnace. These tubular sections merge in the central trayarea to establish the bridge sections s1 and a series of apertures 82 inthe floor of the tray. Adjacent the .side edges of the tray there areestablished a plurality of longitudinal slots E3. The base :of the trayis formed with a plurality of pairs of spaced lugs '84 of the type shownin detail in Fig. .3, which serve to receive the side and end wallstherebetween to form positioning guides for such walls. As in themodification previously described, the side walls of the base section ofthe tray are formed with integral projecting lugs 23.5, stifliened byflanges es to form T-shaped projections to serve as engagement lugs formovement and control of the tray.

As intimated previously, the base section of the tray is provided withintegral stub sections .at the corners thereof which form .a base uponare mounted. As shown, particularly in Fig. 13, the corner sections ofthe base portion of the tray are formed with the curvilinear surface 87which projects above the major horizontalplane of the floorse'ction ofthe base. This corner section, as shown, presents a curvilinear uppersurface adapted .to contact a similarly conformed surface one, cornerpost in a :manner more particularly to be described. This-elevatedcurvilinear section is cored at 88 to receive means for attaching cornerpost. The tray liner 89 is formed with cutout .corner portions to clearthe sections 81. The tray liner similarly is cutout to provide aperturesconforming generally to the apertures in the base or iloor section ofthe tray .to thus permit circulation of heat through the work.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the corner post comprises a hollow elongatedunit 9&3, preferably of rectilinear cross-section. Such :posts includethe walls 9!, Q2, 93 and 594. Adjacent its base portipn the post isformed with the integral :projection or lug :95 formed with the flatplate engaging surface 195 and the rigidifying or stiffening web 91:Similarly, the wall 94 is formed with the projecting lug 9.8 which issimilar in construction and function to lug '95. The base portion of thecolumn or post, as will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 10 and11, is formed with the integral curved bearing section 89 which is coredat "I The curved surface 99 is cast .or otherwise s'hapedto conformtothe spherical supporting section 8? of the base of the trail. Theupper section of the corner post is apertured so as to receive tie rodsfor supporting the end and side plates. The wall section 93 is providedwith the aperture l-Bl and the wall section 94 is similarly providedwith the aperture I02.

The assemblage and operation of the tray will have been appreciated fromthe foregoing description. In assembling the tray the corner posts atare mounted in vertical position so that the curved bearing surfaces 99abut the correspondingly curved surfaces 81. The posts are secured tothe tray proper through the medium of the bolt tilt and nut 104. Asshown, the bottom surface of the "head of the bolt of the upper surface:of the nut are shaped to register or conform with the curvatures of theadjacent or abutting passes through the aperture H1!) in the corner postand the aperture 88 in the bearing section of the floor tray.Byproviding a'given tolerance between-the bolt shank and the apertures.88 and let a considerable degree of permissive movement is establishedbetween the base of the tray the corner post.

The corner post, as will particularly 'be observed, "is :a simple unitand is so designed as to be readily removable and interchangeable in anycorner position of the tray.

The side and end plates D' and E similarly may be :of standardconstruction so as to be readreplaceableand interchangeable. As shown inFig. 9 such plates may comprise a main body portion 1W5 formed with thestraight lower edge I06 and the straight side edges I91. The upper edgeof the plate, like that described in the earlier modification, comprisesa series of spaced tubular extensions T08.

in assembling, the lower edge of the plate is inserted between thepositioning flanges 84, and the edges Hi7 thus fit inside the lugs 95 ofone corner post and the lug 98 of the opposite corner post. These lugsin conjunction with the flanges 84 thus serve to position the lowerportion of the plate and provide a rugged lateral support for the plateenabling it to retain the work in the tray. These plates, as shown, aresuspended from and wholly supported by tie rods I 09. Such tie rod isprovided with a head H0 at one end and a threaded portion ill at theother. In mounting the plate, as shown in Fig. 9, the tie rod isinserted through the aperture [ill of the right-hand corner post, thencethrough the tubular upper edge I83 of the plate and through aperture I02oi the opposite corner post. By attaching the nut 1 H! the plate isestablished and secured in position and is suspended from the tie rod sothat clearance is established between the edges of the plate and thetray floor and posts. The other plates are mounted in a similar manner.As will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 8 the upper portion ofeach corner post receives the headed end of I H] of one tie rod and thenut N2 of the other tie rod. The upper portions of walls 9| and 92 arecut away at H3 so as to Permit ready insertion of the tie rods and theapplication of nuts I 12. In order to insure free circulation to thework the side and end plates of the tray may be provided with a seriesof apertures It will be appreciated that this type of structure iseminently simple and rugged. The corner posts, side and end walls andtie rods are so designed that they may be utilized on any side of thetray. By stocking such standard units users of the tray may quicklyreplace any unit of the superstructure. Such replacement can be maderapidly because of the ease with which the tray may be knocked down andassembled.

It will now be appreciated that the described structures present manyadvantages and eliminate the serious inherent disadvantages of prior artstructures. In each modification the provision of suspending side wallsfrom tie rods and establishing a permissive movement between the baseand the superstructure insures a maximum of play between the severalparts of the tray. The structure thus minimizes trouble arising fromdisplacing or moving the trays while under high temperatures which wouldnormally cause distortion in wall or post members in solid cast trays.In the structure shown in Figs. 1 to '7 inclusive, the provision ofcorrugated Walls insures a reduction in wall thickness of these memberswithout detracting from their structural efiiciency in use. It isapparent with the type of structure described that when the parts havebecome unduly distorted a particular member may readily be removed andquickly replaced by a similar standard member without requiring thescrapping of the entire tray unit. Marked longevity of the tray as awhole is thus achieved. The pronounced freedom of movement between theseveral parts insures adequate take up for expansion of the work or thecontents of the tray without building up undue stresses either in thewalls of the tray structure or in the parts under treatment. Since thefree floating condition of the movable walls and corner posts permitsthe ready accommodation of the several parts to any imposed stresses orstrains arising from use.

It will now be appreciated that there is herein provided a novelknock-down, heat-treating and malleablizing tray in which the parts areseverally removable and replaceable and, because of their novel designand assemblage, permits a maximum of movement for the parts underconditions imposed by expansion or other conditions arising from hightemperature operation.

While preferred modifications of the invention have been described it isto be understood that these are given didactically to illustrate theunderlying principles involved and not as limiting the useful scope ofthe invention to the particular illustrative embodiments.

I claim:

1. A heat treating tray comprising, in combination, a base, a linersheet on the base, stub posts at the corners of the base, stanchionsremovably secured to the stub posts and removable side and end wallssecured to and between the stanchions.

2. A heat treating tray comprising, in combination, a base, an aperturedliner sheet on the base, stub posts at the corners of the base,stanchions removably secured to the stub posts and removable side andend walls secured to and between the stanchions.

3. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the end walls and sidewalls are transversely corrugated.

4. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the end walls arefastened between stanchions and are cambered inwardly of the tray.

5. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the side walls aretransversely corrugated and are hung from tie rods fastened between thestanchions.

6. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the side walls andliner are spaced from the corner posts.

'7. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the bottom liner isapertured to conform to the base and is spaced from the stub posts.

8. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the side walls arehung from tie rods by annular sections at the top edges of the Walls.

9. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the end walls and sidewalls are apertured adjacent their respective side edges.

10. A tray structure according to claim 2 in which the side walls aretransversely corrugated and have top edges formed as integral tubes, thetubes receiving tie rods mounted between stanchions and upon which theside walls are hung and the bottom edges of the side walls being looselyfitted in grooved members in the base section.

11. A heat-treating tray comprising an inversely dished apertured flatbase, integral, upstanding stub posts at the corners of the base, hollowstanchions removably and loosely secured on and over the stub posts,transversely corrugat ed end walls secured to and between thestanchions, side-wall hanger rods also secured to and between thestanchions, side-wall-receiving sections in the base and in thestanchions, and side walls hung on the hanger rods and received in thebase and stanchions.

12. A heat-treating tray comprising an apertured fiat base, a conformedliner on and over the base, integral, upstanding stub posts at thecorners of the base, stanchions removably and loosely secured on andover the stub posts, transversely corrugated side walls secured to andbetween the stanchions, end wall hanger rods also secured to and betweenthe stanchions, side-wallreceiving sections in the base and in thestanchions, and end walls hung on the hanger rods and received in thebase and stanchions.

13. A heat-treating tray comprising an apertured fiat base, tubularstrengthening members or ribs within and integral with the base,cambered guide skid members integral with the inside of the base andopposed side walls of the base, stub posts on the top of the base andintegral therewith, stanchions removably and loosely secured on and overthe stub posts, corrugated end walls secured to and between thestanchions, side-wall hanger rods also secured to and between thestanchions, side-wall receiving sections on the top side edges of thebase and in the bottom side sections of the stanchions, and side-wallshung on the hanger rods and received in and by the base and stanchions.

14. A heat-treating tray comprising an apertured flat base, a conformedliner on and over the base, tubular strengthening members on ribs withinand integral with the base, cambered guide skid members integral withthe outside of the base and opposed side walls of the base, stub postson the top of the base and integral therewith, stanchions removably andloosely secured on and over the stub posts, corrugated end walls securedto and between the stanchions, side-wall hanger rods also secured to andbetween the stanchions, side-wall receiving sections on the top sideedges of the base and in the bottom side sections of the stanchions, andside-walls hung on the hanger rods and received in and by the base andstanchions.

15. A heat treating tray comprising a base, stub posts formed integrallywith the base, said posts being provided with a curvilinear upperbearing surface, stanchions removably secured to the posts, saidstanchions being provided with curvilinear bottom sections adapted toabut the curvilinear bearing surfaces on the post and means to supportside and end walls on the stanchions.

16. A heat treating tray comprising a rectangular base, stub postsformed integrally with the base at the corners thereof, said posts beingcored and formed with a curvilinear upper bearing surface, elongatedinterchangeable stanchions mounted upon and removably secured to stubposts, the stanchions being provided with curvilinear bottom sectionsconforming to and adapted to abut the said curvilinear sections of thecorner posts, tie rods attached to and extending between the upper endsof the several stanchions and removable side and end walls mounted onand suspended from the tie rods.

17. A heat treating tray comprising a polygonal base, stub posts formedintegrally with the base at the corners thereof, said posts being coredand formed with a curvilinear upper bearing surface, elongatedinterchangeable hollow stanchions mounted upon and removably secured tothe stub posts, the stanchions being provided with a curvilinear sectionat the bottom which conforms to and abuts the curvilinear section of thestub posts; the upper end of the stanchions being provided withlaterally projecting flanges; tie rods attached to and extending betweenthe stanchions, and side and end walls suspended from the tie rods andadapted to be retained in position by the said flanges on thestanchions.

GEORGE CLIFTON MCCORMICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,022,283 Harris Nov. 26, 19352,115,416 Deahl Apr. 26, 1938 2,297,054 Garrison Sept. 29, 1942

